Homestead, Florida What to Do (Tourist Stuff)

Another three year old post is getting updated here, lol.  This time, it's about two years old, lol. Lucky for all, this post is almost just as new as the year it was written. There are few new things to do around Homestead...so yes this is still worth a read. 

Here goes! 

Comments often heard include What do you do in Homestead? There is nothing there!and I don't want to drive to Homestead. I only work there and last but not least Homestead is a short stop on the way to Key West. There is nothing there but chain restaurants and gas stations. 

After living in Homestead for two four  six years, there are LOTS of things to do south of Miami Zoo. Here are some ideas! 

For where to eat, see my blog post Restaurants & Where to Eat in Homestead, Florida.

To learn more about any of these places, please click on the place names.

Drive through Historic Homestead Downtown while enjoying the downloadable Self Guided Tour.

If possible, stop by Losner Park and the Seminole Theatre.

Follow the Historic Redland Tropical Trail. 

Fruit and Spice Park shares local fruit, history, and teas. 

Go wild for orchids at R.F. Orchids. 

Enjoy local fruit wines at Schnebly Redland's Winery in their garden areas. 

Visit the Everglades and photo shoot egrets, gators, and the river of grass at theTropical Everglades Visitor Association. Local photographer Jason Eldridge gets inspired here. 

For one of the best fruit milkshakes in this world, visit Robert Is Here.

See alligator and snake shows at the Alligator Farm. 

The Everglades Outpost rescues abandoned and abused exotic animals of all kinds, including lions, tigers, and bears. This is where local photographer Mike Downs captures animal characters here. 

See alligator and snake shows at the Alligator Farm. 

Get a steal of a deal on antiques at Jacobsen's Antique Mall.

Visit the Children's Gallery and Art Center for an adult and child styled art experience.

Andy, Morgan, and Brad at the entrance of the park, ©2009.

Flagler's Martini Bar. Camera phone does NOT
do it justice, LOL. 2014

Guide, Brenda, and Charlie with a snake at the Alligator Farm.
©2009

Angeline's caveats on this tour she created:

Recommendation: wear bug spray and sunblock, and have water. Casual clothing style is allowed at all stops. This tour I created will take you from overheating to cooling off stops. Most stops have a free experience, but allow $100 per adult for the day. Not all stops can be incorporated in one day. Please check each link for the hours they are open to the public. Food recommendations will be created in a different blog post. 

You’re invited!

Andy & I are hosting an Art Open House on Friday evening and Saturday, March 11 and March 12, 2016. You can come on over and see all the paintings I’ve made and hang out with us. Maybe you’ll pick up some new wall candy for your home? I’ll be painting, waiting for you!

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

Facebook Page for Angeline Marie Fine Art

Restaurants in Homestead, Florida 2016

Apple Types Original Painting, 6 x 6 inches, oil on canvasboard

Homestead, Florida is surprising full of simple and good restaurants. This is a quick list of Andy (my husband!) and my favorite places, updated for you. No chain restaurants here! This list includes food places for all appetites. If a place was missed, share as a comment, please. 

Visit one before or after my Open Art Studio event on March 11 & 12th of this year.

Just want a snack? Try some of the best fruit milkshakes in this world are still at  Robert Is Here. However...Soriano Brothers has some great Cuban milkshakes (mamey and guava all year 'round).

For pizza and garlic rolls from heaven and a bueno-bonito-barato (good, pretty, cheap) experience, Mamma Mia's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria 2 is STILL unbeatable. 

Andy and I have yet to find a great seafood place to enjoy in Homestead. Chefs on the Run does make great seafood dishes...but seafood is not their specialty. 

Stop by and get the best mofongo or Mongolian Beef in the South Florida area. Chefs On the Run of Homestead is the place for gourmet food and Puerto Rican delights. Daily specials are posted on their Facebook page. They were invited three years in a row to the South Beach Food and Wine Festival and two years won prizes. Amazing menu and mouth watering desserts await. You will leave happy! 

Mexican food without frills, Las Aztecas has great chips and salsa and is one of our favorite eateries. For a more upscale experience, try El Santo Coyote, where salsa is made at your table. If you prefer a seafood Mexican meal with many awesome dishes of choice in a comfortable setting, try El Rincon de Jalisco.

Even Homestead, Florida has a Starbucks. However, if you are looking for traditional Cuban sandwiches, cafe cubano, pastelitos, etc. for a picnic, go to Cuba Bakery.Otherwise, Mario's Latin Cafe has real Cuban food by Cuban cooks. If you like picnic style casual dining, the Cuban sandwiches and other yummies are wonderful at Soriano Brothers (have a shake with that). 

Suvi Thai and Sushi Restaurant has sushi and Thai food. All the food here is wonderful…if you are looking for hot and spicy, pay attention when the servers ask you to rate how hot!

Three different ice cream experiences are in Homestead. For Cuban and tropical flavor ice cream, visit 4 JJJJ Pizzeria, Ice Cream, and Restaurant. For Mexican flavors, La Michoacana Mexican was recommended by the Miami Herald. 

Want really good United States American food? Check out the Redland Grill or theWhistle Stop for great "comfort food."

Is it evening? Sing karaoke at the Mutineer Wharf Bar and say hello to DJ Jim on a Wednesday or Thursday night. Enjoy awesome martini's at Flager's Martini Bar (say hi to Lynn, Mary, & Stephanie). The Dade Country Jail Bar rocks most weekend evenings, too, with some cold beers and great bands. Both Flagler's and Jail have been open in Homestead for almost two years at the writing of this post...and we hope they stay because we like both! 

Angeline's caveats on this restaurant list created:

Casual clothing style is allowed at all restaurants. All price ranges are included, starting from $10 per person. Please check each link for prices and perhaps menu items. Please check each link for the hours they are open to the public. Recommended places to visit list is created in a different blog post. 

If you follow the link below,

Homestead’s 10 Best Restaurants: Florida’s Top Local Eats

you'll find a few places Andy and I have not tried yet.

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

You’re invited!

Andy & I are hosting an Art Open House on Friday evening and Saturday, March 11 and March 12, 2016. You can come on over and see all the paintings I’ve made and hang out with us. Maybe you’ll pick up some new wall candy for your home? I’ll be painting, waiting for you!

Smiles,

Angeline Marie

Smiles!!!!

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

16 Flavors in Homestead, Florida

Unbelievable that it's been three years since I wrote the original post Restaurants, Eateries, & Food in Homestead, Florida.  It is definitely time to update the list for upcoming May 1, 2014 through June 30th Absence of Green Palm Trees Art Exhibit.  Here is a refreshed list...some places have definitely changed! 

Homestead, Florida is surprising full of simple and good restaurants. This is a quick list of Andy (my fiancee  my husband!) and my favorite places. No chain restaurants here! This list includes food places for all appetites. Visit one before visiting my art exhibit at the Homestead Community Center Absence of Green Palm Trees Art Exhibit. If a place was missed, share as a comment, please. 

Just want a snack? Try some of the best fruit milkshakes in this world are still at  Robert Is Here. However...Zoe's Palacio de los Jugos has some great Cuban milkshakes (mamey and guava all year 'round).

For pizza and garlic rolls from heaven and a bueno-bonito-barato (good, pretty, cheap) experience, Mamma Mia's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria 2 is still unbeatable. 

Fresh and local seafood off the truck daily from the Keys can be found atCaptain's Restaurant and Seafood. Try their specials, like banana rum scallops.  Sadly, no one knows why this place closed...and Andy and I have yet to find another great seafood place to enjoy in Homestead. Chefs on the Run does make great seafood dishes...but seafood is not their specialty. 

Stop by and get the best mofongo or Mongolian Beef in the South Florida area. Chefs On the Run of Homestead is the place for gourmet food and Puerto Rican delights. Daily specials are posted on their Facebook page. They were invited two years in a row to the South Beach Food and Wine Festival and both years won prizes. Amazing menu and mouth watering desserts await. You will leave happy! 

Mexican food without frills, Las Aztecas has great chips and salsa and is one of our favorite eateries. For a more upscale experience, try El Santo Coyote, where salsa is made at your table. 

Even Homestead, Florida has a Starbucks. However, if you are looking for traditional Cuban sandwiches, cafe cubano, pastelitos, etc. for a picnic, go to Cuba Bakery. Otherwise, Mario's Latin Cafe has real Cuban food by Cuban cooks. If you like picnic style casual dining, the Cuban sandwiches and other yummies are wonderful at Zoe's Palacio de los Jugos (have a shake with that). 

Suvi Thai and Sushi Restaurant has sushi and Thai food. All the food here is wonderful…if you are looking for hot and spicy, pay attention when the servers ask you to rate how hot!

Three different ice cream experiences are in Homestead. For Cuban and tropical flavor ice cream, visit 4 JJJJ Pizzeria, Ice Cream, and Restaurant. For Mexican flavors, La Michoacana Mexican was recommended by the Miami Herald. For a more American tradition and fried key lime pie, try Keisha's Sweets and Treats Ice Creamery (especially after Las Aztecas). 

Want really good United States American food? Check out the Redland Grill or the Whistle Stop for great "comfort food."

Is it evening? Sing karaoke at the Mutineer Wharf Bar and say hello to DJ Jim on a Wednesday or Thursday night. Enjoy awesome martini's at Flager's Martini Bar (say hi to Gigi). The Dade Country Jail Bar rocks most weekend evenings, too, with some cold beers and great bands. Both Flagler's and Jail are recent additions to Homestead...and we hope they stay because we love both! 

Angeline's caveats on this restaurant list created:

Casual clothing style is allowed at all restaurants. All price ranges are included, starting from $10 per person. Please check each link for prices and perhaps menu items. Please check each link for the hours they are open to the public. Recommended places to visit list is created in a different blog post. This tour ends with a visit at the Homestead Community Center, where you can cool off and get an art experience, from May 1, 2014 through June 30th, 2014.

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

Coming to the Homestead Community Center, my exhibit of Absence of Green will begin on May 1st, 2014 and run through June 30, 2014. Hope to see you there! 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Smiles,

Angeline Marie

Smiles!!!!

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie Fine Art

Denim Abstract Palm Tree, 8 x 8 inches, mixed media oncanvas panel, ©2014 Angeline Mare, $100

First Cubing Painting in Progress

Since the end of January, life is weird. I'm grateful the challenge is over, but sad that getting into my studio seems to be challenging. Oh, well. Good thing Husband Andy laughs when I set up an improvised still life in his room! Thank God he will be fine and experiencing a temporary hiccup! 

In the meantime, I am taking a class online by the New York City Modern Museum of Art about collage. Almost everything I've seen online about collage is "cutsy" or about scrapbooking. I want to learn about the artists who made collage popular in fine modern art. The first lesson is about cubism and how to "cube" a design after watching slide shows and videos about Picasso and Gris. Here is a progress photo on my first attempt "cubing" a design. 

What do you think about it? Even if you dislike it, tell me why, lol. 

The still life....

...the thumbnail sketches...

...the sketch on canvas, ready for paint.

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie's Fine Art

on Facebook, too.

Better Memories through Sketchbooks

As if we needed an excuse to doodle and draw in sketchbooks...ran across why taking photos may actual ruin our memories, LOL. 

The articles linked below mention that most of our photos languish in digital files and are rarely viewed. We need to live in the moment to appreciate where we are visiting and what we are viewing. Put the camera down...and breathe...

Maybe pick up a pen?

Of course, I prefer to pick up my sketchbook. Picking through my past sketchbooks takes me back to that moment of drawing. I remember the details of sights, smells, feelings of the experience when I see particular pages. 

I wish I could admit to a lifelong habit of sketching, but it didn't really begin in earnest until I was in part of Original Impulses' Curious Paris back in September, 2011. 

My sketchbooks are always open for viewing...and I always have one with me. Just ask and I'll share, lol. Most private stuff is unreadable and/or in Spanish any way, lol.
What do you do to live in the moment? Do you bring out your camera (smartphone) or open to a sketchbook page?

Here are the links to the articles: 

Research Shows Snapping a Photo Won't Help You Remember Art - WSJ.com

To Really Remember Something, Don't Take Pictures Of It

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie's Fine Art

on Facebook, too.

Rainbow Palm Tree Day 13 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Rainbow Palm Tree, approximately 5 x 7 with border, mixed media
on paper, ©2014 Angeline Marie

This little design Rainbow Palm Tree was finished at the Deering Estate. It was not part of the jury process...LOL....We had to begin with a blank canvas on Saturday at 10am. 

It's Day 13!!!! Almost halfway through the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge by Leslie Saeta!!!!

Like? Please share the blogpost...or Facebook...or leave a comment...or buy it for $28 that includes shipping and handling. 

for the $28...or please contact me.

In a month and one day, it will be Valentine's Day. Consider the gift of art. Art is always fresh, never needs watered, is calorie-free yet full of sugar. I can ship directly to your loved Valentine. 

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie's Fine Art

on Facebook, too.

Red, Green, Black Palm Tree Jungle - Day 5 of 30 and Week 1 of 52

Red, Green, Black Palm Tree Jungle, 8 x 8 inches,
acrylics on canvas board, $100, ©2014 Angeline Marie 

In keeping with the 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge (Day 5)  by Leslie Saeta and my own 2014 challenge of 52 Paintings in 52 Weeks...this is Red, Green, Black Palm Tree Jungle. 

I did a little research and jotted down the colors that pertain to each month. January is represented with red, green, and black. This painting began with a background of modeling pasted and a stencil of my own design. The colors were placed randomly, just playing. I like the results and hope you do, too.

Like? Please share the blogpost...or Facebook...or leave a comment...or buy it for $100 that includes shipping and handling. 

GroveHouse Artists' Affair En Plein Air at the Deering Estate is the weekend of January 11th, 2014. Watch me and other artists paint while on the grounds of one of Florida's beautiful parks. 

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie's Fine Art

on Facebook, too.

Featuring the Letter A Day 3 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenge

Palm Tree A, 5 x 3 inches, mixed media on paper,
©2013 Angeline Marie

There is no real theme for this month. I thought of committing to the alphabet...but only came up with a few doodles for a few letters so far. Thought of just doing a re-visit of my South Africa safari photos...but have misplaced the drive that has those photos. There is no theme for this month other than whatever shows up...2014 might begin with a challenge, but why add the salt of drama to it? LOL

Like? Please share the blogpost...or Facebook...or leave a comment...or buy it for $28 that includes shipping and handling. 

GroveHouse Artists' Affair En Plein Air at the Deering Estate is the weekend of January 11th, 2014. Watch me and other artists paint while on the grounds of one of Florida's beautiful parks. 

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie's Fine Art

on Facebook, too.

Egyptian Wish for Day 2 of 30 Paintings in 30 Days

Egyptian Wish for Peace 5x3 inches, mixed media on paper,
©2014 Angeline Marie

In 1997, mi Mama and I visited Egypt. It is an amazingly beautiful country with generous and lovely people. I wish them peace, if only some day to visit them again.

Day 2 challenge met. I'm loving that my cards have the backgrounds already made. Am sitting here with Husband Andy, a gal nicknamed Little Giggles, and a boy nicknamed Poodle. We just enjoyed pizza and are sitting around the table laughing. I'm typing this up as Little Giggles says how rude I am to include them in this blog. Get over it, LOL.

If you love it, it is available...$28 includes shipping and handling. 

GroveHouse Artists' Affair En Plein Air at the Deering Estate is the weekend of January 11th, 2014. Watch me and other artists paint while on the grounds of one of Florida's beautiful parks. 

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie's Fine Art

on Facebook, too.

Fish Hello - Painting 1 of 30 Days of Painting

Fish Hello, 5 x 3 inches, mixed media on paper,
©2014 by Angeline Marie

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Day ONE of 30 Paintings in 30 Days is Fish Hello. 

This card is purposely wonky with a three-sided border and a ripped side. I took my own advice and made some pre-made background papers for this time's challenge.

See you tomorrow with another mini-painting! 

Like Fish Hello? You can buy it for $28...or please specify which day's painting you want me to ship you.

All of the September, 2013 paintings are available, too, with a New Foundland feel. 

See what else I'm up to here at my last blog post....
GroveHouse Artists' Affair En Plein Air at the Deering Estate is the weekend of January 11th, 2014. Watch me and other artists paint while on the grounds of one of Florida's beautiful parks. 

If you would like to see more paintings in person, please visit one of my favorite restaurants, Chefs on the Run Assorted Cuisine. 

If you would like to see more paintings online, please visit my website. 

Angeline Marie of

Angeline Marie's Fine Art

on Facebook, too.